"Under the power vested in me by the state, and with God's blessing, I now pronounce you men and wives," the State Patrol chaplain said. He smiled broadly. "Gentlemen, you may kiss your brides." Martin, Martin, Jr., and Melissa all kissed their new spouses.
"An now," the chaplain said, turning to the congregation, "it is with great pleasure that I present to you: Mr. and Mrs. Martin Flannigan, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Flannigan, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson."
All three couples started down the aisle of the large church in Jamestown where their triple wedding had been just held. The three newlywed couples emerged from the church and walked through an honor guard formed by members of the State Patrol, James County Sheriff's Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, all wearing dress uniforms. Then they got in three identical limos and were driven to a large social hall in Jamestown, with a police escort.
The reception was a lavish affair, with a sit-down meal and large orchestra to provide the music. The assembled group of family, friends, and well-wishers was extremely large and in a particularly festive mood. And, considering the size of the group, and the fact that the gathering contained a large number of cops - who are notorious party animals - it continued without any serious incidents.
It was nearly ten o'clock in the evening when Ann and Martin got a chance for a few seconds alone together. "I'm about ready to blow this dump," Martin said. "What about you, honey?"
"I'm ready to leave any time you are," she said. "We've done the garter and bouquet routines, and I'm about danced out."
"Me, too," Martin said.
Two hours after they left the wedding reception, Martin drove through an isolated town, turned off the main highway onto a dirt road, and went to the very end of it. There, a long distance from any other habitation, sat the cabin, which belonged to a friend of Martin's, that they were using for their honeymoon.
"It's gorgeous!" Ann announced when they got out of the car.
Martin and Ann walked around to the front of the cabin. In the bright moonlight, they could see the lovely little lake that lay down a gentle slope in front of the cabin.
"We'll be able to swim and hike and go canoeing," Martin said. "And we'll have privacy, too. There aren't any other places on the lake. It's all ours."
They carried all of their things inside. The cabin, though rustic, was very well-furnished. Although it was quite a distance from the main highway, it did have electricity and indoor plumbing.
"Not bad, huh?" Martin said. "We're isolated, but we have all the comforts of home."
Inside, the cabin was as lovely as it was outside. It was furnished with either antiques or very good reproductions, and had obviously been lovingly cared for. It looked comfortable, too. Ann began to relax a little.
